title: Automated screening of antenatal samples using a low ionic strength polybrene system.
abstract: The use of a two-channel AutoAnalyzer II system in the routine screening of antenatal sera is described. A low ionic strength polybrene method has been used to give optimum detection of IgG antibodies, and hence the system provides a valuable early detection of such antibodies in pregnancy. Of 88 Rhesus antibodies initially detected on the AutoAnalyzer only and followed up later in pregnancy, 18 (20.45%) were later detected by manual methods and were considered to be of potential clinical significance, whilst the remainder were detectable by the AutoAnalyzer only and occurred with a similar frequency as AutoAnalyzer only Rh antibodies in non-immunized males. The sensitivity of the method can provide interpretational difficulties, revealing many apparent "non-specific' reactions as well as detecting low levels of specific antibodies of debatable clinical significance. An approach to dealing with these problems without compromising the benefits of the system is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006583:Hexadimethrine Bromide; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D006583:Hexadimethrine Bromide